At least seven different landlords who have been cheated out of rent and dragged through the tribunal system. A system that can be expensive, time-consuming and extremely stressful.

Nina’s current Scarborough landlord won’t even talk to the media as they try to evict Nina from their rental property.

Why Do Landlords Rent To Bad Tenants?

No landlord wants to rent to bad tenants.

The worst tenants (meaning tenants who have a plan to rip off small landlords from Day 1 are often very crafty.

For example, Willis will do an Academy Award worthy performance when she first meets a potential landlord.

Bad tenants will be exceptionally friendly when they first meet you.

They will appear to be really “decent people” who will convince you they will pay rent on time and take care of your rental property like it is their own home.

It’s only when you rent to them that you begin to see their true face.

You won’t believe how they change as they accuse you of neglecting maintenance issues and even harassing them.

How Can I Find Good Tenants and Avoid the Bad Ones?

One of Nina’s former landlords is now an OLA member and is very careful to screen her tenants to avoid “tenants from hell.”

One of the best tenant screening tools is acredit check.

Check out the Ontario Landlord Credit Check site for more information on the importance of doing credit checks on tenants. This site was created to help Ontario landlords learn how to find good tenants and avoid tenants from Hell.

How Can a Tenant Credit Check Help Landlords?

Conducting a tenant credit check will give you the essential information you need to know about a potential renter before you rent to them.

This isn’t only important for Ontario landlords, but also key for Alberta landlords and British Columbia landlords who are also facing challenges.

How Can Tenant Credit Checks Help Me Avoid Tenants From Hell?

That’s an excellent question. After all, small landlords are often on tight budgets and conducting a credit check is an extra expense.

Let’s take a closer look at how a tenant credit check can help Ontario landlords find good tenants and avoid tenants from hell.

#1 Current and Past Addresses

A credit check from the Ontario Landlords Association will show you the current and past addresses of your potential tenant.

You don’t have to ‘trust’ what the tenant tells you. You can see the FACTS on the credit report.

You can then make sure you talk to the REAL current and previous landlords and learn the TRUTH about the tenant who wants to rent your rental property.

#2 Current and Past Employment

It’s very common for bad tenants to lie about their employment history.

They lie because they know landlords want to rent to tenants with stable jobs that provide enough income to cover the rent.

A tenant credit check from the Ontario Landlords Association will show you the REAL employment situation of the potential renter.

#3 Financial Responsibility

Bad tenants will smile and tell you they always pay their bills on time.

A tenant credit check will show you the TRUTH.

Do they pay their bills on time? Do they owe anyone money? Are there judgements against them? Are there any collection agencies after them?

Even British Columbia landlords are now recognizing the importance of credit checks as they face some serial bad tenants ripping off landlords in BC.

We often think of Alberta as the best place to own rental properties in Canada. Yet even Alberta landlords are conducting tenant credit checks to make sure they avoid pro tenants who can end up costing landlords tens of thousands of dollars.

How Can I Run a Credit Check On My Prospective Tenants?

In the past running a credit check was complicated and expensive.

Some of the landlord credit check companies out there add on all sorts of extra fees on you and have a complicated start up process.

As a small landlord, you want everything open and up-front.

You also want low fees and a fast and efficient system.

Join the Ontario Landlords Association

For only a one-time registration fee , Ontario landlords can get access to premium credit checks for only $10/check!

That’s right. No annual fee. Just a one-time registration fee.

You can then access premium credit checks foronly $10/check for credit checks that give you a credit score, addresses, employment and all the information you need to make a smart, informed decision on whether or not you will rent to a tenant.

You will even get a recommendation from the credit report.

Ontario Landlords – Bad Tenants Are Out There But You Can Protect Yourself!\

Become a Member of the Ontario Landlords Association and Get Premium Credit Checks For Only $10/check from your Home or Office Computer.

Ontario Landlords – Become a Member of the Ontario Landlords Association and Find Good Tenants! Get Premium Credit Checks for Only $10 Per Check!

The key to becoming a successful landlord in Ontario is finding good tenants and avoiding the bad ones.

What’s a “Good” Tenant?

A good tenant is someone who pays the rent on time, respects the lease and the landlord, and takes care of your rental property like it’s their own home.

What’s a “Bad” Tenant?

There are many out there! A bad tenant is someone who won’t pay the rent. Or damages your property. Or both.

You want to find a tenant who will respect you, the property, and the law. Good tenants are out there, waiting for you to find them.

How Can I Find Good Tenants and Avoid the Bad Ones?

One of the best tenant screening tools is a credit check.

What Does a Credit Check Do?

A credit check will give you vital information about your potential renter.

That’s Exactly What I Want!

This is what ever smart and professional landlord wants. And the Ontario Landlords Association which is made up of landlords knows it and give Ontario landlords the deal of a life-time!

How Do I Do a Credit Check?

Members of the Ontario Landlords Association are assisted every step of the way to do a credit check via TVS or Equifax.

What Can A Credit Check Tell Me About a Potential Tenant?

Lots!

Let’s take a look at why a credit check is an essential part of the screening process for Ontario landlords.

#1: Tenants with Good Credit Have a Proven History of Paying Their Bills

A tenant with good credit obviously has a history of paying their bills on time. Someone’s financial past is an important indicator of the present. A strong history of paying the bills means it’s more likely they will pay your the rent.

#2: Tenants with Good Credit are Likely to Want to Keep Their Good Credit

If a tenant has great credit (especially in the uncertain economic world we live in today!) they will want to keep it. Tenants with good credit scores will not jeopardize their scores by screwing their landlord around.

#3. Good Credit Means the Tenants Understand How A Business Runs

When you rent to a tenant who has a history of good credit they will understand your position as a business person. They will understand your insistence of getting rent paid ON TIME!

How Much Does a Credit Check Cost?

Most financial companies want annual membership fees and charge over $20/check. Ontario Landlords Association members can avoid these high financial hurdles and get premium credit checks for only $10/check with no annual fee!

This Is Awesome!

Landlords know what landlords need. The Ontario Landlords Association exists to protect and assist landlords. When you own your own rental properties, with your own money, and face the everyday challenges of being a landlord in Ontario you know what tools and services you need to succeed.

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Ontario Landlords – Become a Member of the Ontario Landlords Association and Get Premium Credit Checks For Only $10/check from your Home or Office Computer. It’s the Landlord Deal of a Life-Time!

Our 2012 “Tenant from Hell” Nina wills was told by judge Thea Herman in June to pay her landlord the rent owed. Read more here.

How Much Was the Rent Owed?

Willis was ordered to pay her current landlord a sum of $8,250 by money order or by certified cheque.

That’s A Lot of Money! Did She Finally Pay?

Despite her history of evictions and long list of bounced checks, Willis followed the Superior Court judge’s order and actually paid almost all of the owed money to avoid an eviction.

That’s Surprising!

Well, where else would she move to? Her face was on the Toronto Star and landlords all over Toronto have come to know her, and to avoid her.

What Would Have Happened if Willis Didn’t Pay?

There was some real motivation for Willis. If she didn’t meet the judge’s ordered deadline her appeal of an order by the Landlord and Tenant Board to evict her would be void.

The board ruled that Willis must leave because she failed to pay rent. Willis, 48, alleges in court documents she was ordered out because of a “factual error” at the hearing and because she didn’t have an “opportunity to participate.”

Herman had said there was “no dispute” that Willis hadn’t paid rent, but it wasn’t clear if her appeal was “utterly devoid of merit.” In addition to paying the $8,250,

What About Future Rent? (Today is the First of the Month!)

Willis was told she must pay $1,650 to her landlord at the first of each month.

If she doesn’t pay the rest of what she owes on Monday, or pay her rent on time each month, the landlord’s lawyer could take action to have her appeal defeated, lifting the stay on her eviction.

Did Willis Say Anything?

In front of the just Willis promised to follow the order.

Willis said “I do want to pay. I have to pay because that has nothing to do with my case.”

What Happens Now?

Willis has been fighting off various eviction orders for seven months now. Her usual excuse is claiming the rental property is is deficient for health and even safety standards.

For the landlord, this is another defeat. He states that he originally planned to present the property to his daughter. Now that Willis has paid up to this point, he can’t do it.

What’s the Lesson From All This?

The lesson is being a landlord in Ontario is a dangerous game. It can end up costing you thousands of dollars and months of stress.

Any Advice for Landlords to Avoid Hellish Tenants like Willis?

Yes. Tenant Screening. OLA members are offered credit checks for only $10. Become an OLA member, read posts in the private members forum, use property documents, screen carefully, and do credit checks!

As a member of the Ontario Landlords Association you can avoid these Tenants from Hell and rent to good tenants!

OLA members can do credit checks for only $10. Isn’t that worth saving yourself from a Tenant from Hell costing you thousands?